Will J Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 This is only the 'seed' of an idea, muddled into being over a lunchbreak cuppa.. here goes. 'The Bonsai Railway', a tiny self contained model railway presented according to the methods used in Bonsai (miniature) trees: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonsai The 'layout' itself would be small and incredibly simple, without a backscene, and might appear to 'float' over a desktop base. I am likely to go for either T gauge or 2mm FS for track. In fact, these micro, micro layouts would tend to lend themselves to a collection, so I might try a number of scales! Also, as well as innovative presentation, it will employ as much 3D printing as possible. PS. I promise to get this challenge entry finished, my little T gauge challenge layout last year started with the best intentions, but got scuppered by my getting married in the summer, which somehow absorbed much of my spare time! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Stubby47 Posted March 15, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted March 15, 2012 Hint: don't get married this summer, it will eat into your modelling time... ...but I like the idea of a bonsai layout - T gauge would be good if the speed could be controlled to a gentle crawl. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will J Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 Something like this.... (right, back to work) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Natalie Graham Posted March 15, 2012 Share Posted March 15, 2012 a tiny self contained model railway presented according to the methods used in Bonsai (miniature) trees: Are you going to keep trimming the buffers off O gauge stock until it becomes N gauge? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will J Posted March 15, 2012 Author Share Posted March 15, 2012 Aha, yes, it will surely involve some very careful pruning! (I hope my bonsai railway survives better than my bonsai trees ever did!) The big question, where is the innovation...? (I guess something that every entrant needs to think about carefully) Micro layouts exist, nothing new there, however I'm looking to create a working 'desktop' diorama that can sit on a sturdy 'base' (the bonsai 'pot) and float above the desk with a minimal 'footprint'... this way it provides an innovative answer to our space-starved modern lives! The other thing is that there will be no traditional wood/card/foam in the 'baseboard'... the structure of the scenery, including the 'contours' of the ground beneath the track, will be entirely 'printed' from a CAD design. This method could apply to a larger diorama, but the small size will keep costs down! We see some excellent examples of 3D printed locos and stock on RMWeb... but entire printed layouts... I'm hoping that that is something new... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiebrfan Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 Wow, sounds very promising and ambitious, good luck with this. Have you got any ideas for a track plan yet? Regards Glenn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonB Posted March 16, 2012 Share Posted March 16, 2012 I used a Bonsai Turntable under my "Hockley goods" in last year's Challenge. At 10inch diameter, they are placed under Bonsai containers* on exhibition show benches so that the judges can rotate the exhibits without touching the plants. I did that to facilitate all round viewing of the model, but one might get in the way of your electrics! * Also used by cooks when icing cakes, I now have to "borrow" mine from the kitchen! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will J Posted March 16, 2012 Author Share Posted March 16, 2012 Here is my sketchy-doodle for the day... A railway has branches, so maybe a bonsai railway could have the same... modelled at 1:450 scale, the 3D printing method could make for easier construction of overbridges, maybe a canal with a lock beneath the track.. so many ideas! PS.. any other innovation entrants out there, it seems to be just me for the time being (or is this a technical hitch and I can't see the others?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium 2ManySpams Posted March 17, 2012 RMweb Premium Share Posted March 17, 2012 The pot that the tree grows out of could be made to look like a loco chimney. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Y Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 PS.. any other innovation entrants out there, it seems to be just me for the time being (or is this a technical hitch and I can't see the others?) There's a couple of others started later yesterday Will; your potential entry's certainly raised a smile here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Sheep Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 Here is my sketchy-doodle for the day... A railway has branches, so maybe a bonsai railway could have the same... modelled at 1:450 scale, the 3D printing method could make for easier construction of overbridges, maybe a canal with a lock beneath the track.. so many ideas! PS.. any other innovation entrants out there, it seems to be just me for the time being (or is this a technical hitch and I can't see the others?) Love it!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will J Posted April 6, 2012 Author Share Posted April 6, 2012 Its about time I posted here again... the plot in the back of my mind is thickening.. the principal ingredients being: T gauge Maximum use of 3D printing 3D printed stock 3D printed scenery Keeping the 'bonsai' tabletop diorama concept GWR theme.... Oooer, you might well say. Isnt T-Gauge the preserve of high speed trains and Japanese EMUs shuttling around big scenic layouts (or small ovals) at high speed.. not exactly GWR branch line material, surely? Well, it might make more sense than you first think. The mechanical elements will naturally be 'off the shelf' and the only means of propulsion are motorised 'Bo-Bo' railcar chassis. The shorter of these chassis could easily form the basis of: A GWR railcar (of the 'flying banana' sort) A GWR railmotor........ mmmmmmmmmmmmmm A GWR autotrain set, with a tank engine propelled by a motorised carriage, much like early N gauge examples! Or just about any other Great Western locomotive, so long as a motorised carriage can push it along. Come to think if it, with an outside framed front bogie as a 'starting point', something Dukedog or even City of Truroish might be do-able. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will J Posted May 7, 2012 Author Share Posted May 7, 2012 A quick update, to prove I haven't forgotten to keep this idea going! This T gauge bonsai prototype is probably going to be based around what seems to have become my modelling 'muse', Victoria Bridge. Which I think will work well as a standalone diorama without a backscene... whether this has anything to do with the trouble I'm having with the backscene for my N gauge version is open to debate... To kick things off, I have a little (about 12cm long) Victoria Bridge sent off to Shapeways to print, to see how it comes out, and then inspire the design for the all-printed scenic 'roots': Sweeet! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will J Posted August 16, 2012 Author Share Posted August 16, 2012 Realised this has been very quiet of late. With Oct 1st looming, I will dedicate my modelling for the next month and a half to this project and see what I can make of it! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.